An old and blind vulture lived in the hollow of a tree near the bank of a river. While the other vultures went out to hunt for food, the old vulture would look after their little ones. On return the parents would give some morsels to the old vulture to eat out of gratitude.
One day, a cat happened to pass by when she heard the chirping of the young vultures. The cat surreptitiously drew near the tree to catch the young ones. Sensing danger, the young fledglings raised an alarm, on hearing which the old vulture asked angrily, ?Who is that?? and screeched hoarsely.
The cat fearing that its life was in danger looked up and found that the old vulture was blind. Taking advantage of the situation, she decided to win over the old vulture's confidence. She approached the vulture very boldly, ?Oh Wise One, I am a cat. I have come from far to see you.?
The old vulture asked, ?A cat to see me? I sense danger. Go away before I kill you.? Not to be deterred, the cat continued, ?Please listen to me, Wise One. I have come to seek wisdom from you. I do not need anything. Please accept me as your disciple and I will stay with you and become wise. Please do not turn me away.?
The old vulture was immensely pleased on hearing this and replied, ?I fear your presence here as you can be dangerous for the little ones and their parents will not like to see you here. You are the hunter and we are the hunted and the twain cannot live together. I advise you to leave us alone in peace.?
The wily cat spoke out, ?Oh Wise One, what have you to fear from me? Your little ones are safe with me and I do not relish eating their meat.?
Somewhat reassured by the cat'swords, the old vulture granted permission to her to stay with them. Initially the cat played it safe and took great care of the old vulture and the young ones. Soon the fledglings began to enjoy the cat'spresence and loved to play with the unknown enemy. Having won the confidence of all, the cat slowly decided to show its true colours. While the parents were out on hunt, the cat began to swallow one by one the young fledglings while the old vulture remained blind to it all.
The parents of the young ones returned to find their young ones missing. They began to search around and to their dismay found heaps to bones and feathers here and there, around the old vulture'shome. In anger and frustration, they killed the old vulture and there was nothing else they could do to recover their young ones except to mourn silently. It only goes to show that it is better to not have any companion than to have a foolish one.
(Based on a story from the Hitopdesha.)
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